Pics of Our Misadventures, Life in Greenville

Today it is a month since we flew home on that air ambulance! We've come a long way! In fact, in the last couple of days Jonathan has spent more and more time using a WALKER instead of the wheelchair. We didn't think we'd see that so soon, so are thrilled! The walker is hard work, though, so we keep that wheelchair in the wings in case he'd rather roll.

Day 31 in Greeville:
Late afternoon exercises in the neighbor's pool. As you can see, it is easier for him to stand and walk in the buoyancy of the pool. Not yet so easy on dry land.

J is sporting the 'action hero' brace that was molded for him in Peru. He needs to wear this every time he is not lying down to help support the spine. The good news is that he can stop wearing it in about 3 weeks -- a month earlier than thought. I am planning a decoupage project to turn it into medical art once he's done with it, auctioned off to the highest bidder to help off-set medical expenses! ;-)








Look, no hands!














Lunching in Greenville:
J's Uncle Tommy from Charlotte was on hand to witness the first day that J shunned the wheelchair for a walker to go out for lunch! Nice to see Jonny vertical again, I must say!














Day 2 in Greenville:
One of Greenville Memorial Hospital's best new residents -- Dr. Dave Coykendall -- stops by to visit his ole buddy Jonny. Love the white coat, Dave!

Dave's wife Ginny took me to get some "summer in the south" clothes and a local cell phone. I was, of course, still in a daze and needed the local guidance! Muchas gracias, Ginny!





Day 2 in Greenville:
Cousin Scott with a serious looking, perhaps shell-shocked Jonathan. So great to be back near friends and family! This was a couple days after we returned to the U.S.











Departure Day in Lima:
Fabiola was the technician in Jonathan's room each day to help him...turn over, eat, drink, bathe, etc. She was awesome!










Departure Day in Lima:
I'm including this hospital lobby shot just to squelch any desire you have to see the inside of a Peruvian hospital.

As I have said, J received good care there. In fact, yesterday at a follow-up appt, our local neurosurgeon gave big kudos to the docs in Peru, crediting their work for making it possible for J to progress as well as he has. Thanks Drs. Cabrereas, Ochoa, and Nino de Guzman!!




Peruvian paragliders on the Miraflores cliffs in Lima. This is not the site of J's accident, but this is where all the pros hang out and inspire you to give it a try!

I took this pic right before J's instructor came to find me at the hotel with the accident news and take me to the hospital where our dear boy was getting X-rayed. :-(






Day before the accident:
Joakim, our friend in Lima, took us site seeing. Coastal Lima is in the background.

Earlier that day, Jonathan had his first solo flight on the paraglider.